I was commissioned by immersive agency The Department to design and write Murder on the Ocean Serenity, an interactive storytelling experience set aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Created for Explora Journeys, this multi-day mystery unfolded through app-based storytelling, hidden evidence drops, and onboard character encounters. Guests became detectives, piecing together a decades-old murder while navigating red herrings, timed clues, and plot twists at sea.

The Experience Included:

• An original murder mystery story designed specifically for cruise audiences

• Mobile app integration with audio recordings, visual clues, and suspect profiles

• Multi-day narrative arc that evolved throughout the voyage

• Clue drops and evidence reveals tied to physical locations on the ship

The result was an elegant, layered experience that blended theatre, gaming, and luxury leisure, designed to engage guests without disrupting their holiday.

Why It Worked

• Guests could opt in at any level, from light-touch curiosity to full investigation

• The story unfolded naturally alongside the rhythm of the cruise

• No performance spaces or builds required, everything happened in the flow of the trip

• Designed to reset each cruise, with no repeat players or spoilers